ICYMI: Alex + Ada Vol. 1

Hello friends and welcome back to another edition of the Spider-Dan hour!

Okay, not really. But seriously, welcome back guys. I’m back after a much needed break to get some things in order and we’re starting in full swing. Last summer a new series started that I was really interested in. Alex + Ada, and I missed the first few issues so I decided to wait for the trade paperback to come out. Not only has the first volume been released, volume two just came out this week! So lets take a look…

What I Liked

I liked the character of Alex. I found him not only likable, but relatable as well. Alex’s girlfriend left him. He’s falling into a pit of loneliness, and he is putting on an appearance. It’s really only when his grandmother shakes things up by gifting him Ada on his birthday do we really see a change in Alex. I liked the comparisons in stigma around dating an android that A+A present and when you look at things like online dating. There’s embarrassment and added hesitation to admit that we’re doing it because of how the world perceives it. The way it was presented was very well done and was not something I see often in comic books. The last thing worth mentioning that I liked was the way that Alex reacted to Ada. At first he didn’t want her. He wanted to get rid of her, but she grew on him. The character progression of Alex moved at a good pace that wasn’t too fast, but not too slow, and it was done in such a way that we can empathize with him. Alex goes so far as to hack Ada to give her a once locked artificial intelligence, in a sense making her “alive” for the first time.

What I Didn’t Like

As much as I like Alex and his grandmother, I also don’t like them. Alex’s grandmother is in a relationship with her android that does and thinks the way she wants it too. It’s not just a question of should someone date an android, but also why. Why are they trying to fill a void in their life with something artificial. The other thing I don’t like about Alex is his personality, and his reasons behind giving Ada her “freedom”. He’s not doing it for her, but he’s doing it for himself. His motivations are purely selfish and perhaps even childish. Now, don’t get me wrong. I like Alex. I think he’s a great character. My dislike is an existential one. Would I do the same thing if I were in his position? I honestly can’t answer that question, and that’s where my dislike comes from.

My Hopes for the Future

I really hope that Alex + Ada continues asking us the hard questions that we can’t answer. I feel that while I don’t necessarily always want to, it makes us look at ourselves and at society and question why things are the way that they are. I’m also excited to see what happens to Alex and Ada. I’m interested in seeing their characters develop and seeing how the series will end.

Final Thoughts

This is going to be short and sweet. I loved Alex + Ada and I definitely think you should give it a read. It’s a nice change of pace from the action packed comic season that we’ve had the last several months, and leading up to the summers blockbusters. I think you should read Alex + Ada and you’ll thank me when you do.